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Serengeti - Best Tours & Trips 2019

The Serengeti is Tanzania’s Big Country. The name means Endless Plain in the Masai language, and indeed this legendary land seems to go on forever, its red horizons perpetually seductive and out of reach. The Serengeti is home to the highest concentration of large mammals in East Africa and beyond, offering close-up game-viewing par excellence. Let Stride help you find a front-row seat for one of the greatest shows on earth.

DEPARTURE DATES

Trip Type Trip TypeClassic Tour Groups are between 25-60 people, typically ~30-40. Usually there will be many opportunities to split off and enjoy meals and excursions in smaller groups. This is the most economical way to travel, saving up to 40% versus booking the same itinerary yourself.Small Group Guided Experiences Small groups are usually defined as between 10 and 24 travelers, often less. If you're the kind of person who enjoys more intimate experiences and personal service this is a good choice. All else being equal you will pay a premium for this style vs a larger group tour.River Cruise These vessels are smaller than most ocean cruisers, limiting which amenties are available. Passenger counts can vary. One of the biggest advantages of a river cruise is the ability to dock at smaller ports and local villages.Small Ocean Cruise Small ship cruises usually have a max passenger count of 500. The primary purpose of these trips is to spend time off the vessel in local ports (e.g. Mediterranean) or experiencing nature (e.g Galapagos or Antarctica). Cabins can vary from budget to luxury.Private Tour Private tours give you the undivided attention of a guide, and often involve special access to sites and unique experiences not available to larger groups. This is a great option for families, couples, and small friend groups. Expect to pay a bit more for the extra service.Independent Package A travel company plans your itinerary and arranges all the logistics including lodging, local activities, and transportantion. You have the flexibility of a solo trip while still getting the convience and time savings of expert planning. Get 90% of the benefits of a tour, without a guide.Vacation / Holiday Package Similar to a self guided tour, this usually involves a home base, such as a hotel or resort, with packaged activities and day tours as a part of the stay.Large Ocean Cruise This is the "floating city" experience, with multiple ways to enjoy your vacation aboard the ship as much as on land. Ships are multiple floors, provide several activities, culinary, and shopping options. They often make fewer stops and have less time available for shore excursions.

Tour Styles

Lodging Level Lodging LevelCamping Typically involves most nights sleeping in tents (sometimes permanent tented sites) or in rustic cabins and lodges.Basic - 2 star You'll stay in no-frills, but clean and comfortable, hotels or guesthouses. A 'Basic' trip might also involve a few nights of camping.Value - 3 star Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.Premium - 4 star 3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.Luxury - 5 star The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays.

Trip Length

Countries

Physical Level Physical LevelVery Easy Minimal walking - motor vehicles available for all major parts of trip.Easy Normal generally flat walking in urban or suburban environments.Moderate Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment.Strenuous All or most of day hiking or biking, hills included.Extreme Very challenging all day hiking and backpacking carrying significant equipment.

Travelers Age

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Rivers & Seas

Cities & Attractions

Activities

Solo Friendly Solo FriendlyGood for Singles Trips that specifically cater to travelers looking to meet other singles.No Single Supplement Trips where single supplement is usually not required for solo travelers.

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7-Day luxury 4 park safari

We had a wonderful 7-day, custom tailored safari through 4 parks (Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater) in northern Tanzania. We saw an incredible number of animals and birds, including the big 5. Our guide, Anderson, was so knowledgeable about the wildlife and the environment, and was great at pointing out animals that we would've missed. Anderson really listened to what we wanted to see and was attentive to our needs.

Our accommodations were top notch and the food at each lodge or tent camp was very good. We were pleasantly surprised by the individual attention we were given by the staff at each place we stayed. During the day we traveled in our safari vehicle, just the two of us with our guide, and still the cost was very reasonable. We can't say enough great things about Walter, the owner, Galloping Safaris, and our guide. We have recommended this company to many of our friends in hopes that they will have the special experience we enjoyed. It was the trip of a lifetime for us!

An unforgettable trip to Tanzania thanks to Ker & Downey

Although being used to organising our travels on our own, for this trip to Tanzania we decided to engage Ker & Downey as we wanted everything to be perfect. From the beginning we felt in excellent hands with Rory. He worked everything together making us quickly an exciting proposal fit in with our budget. Until the moment we actually started the trip, he answered always immediately and had an immense patience with all our tiny questions. The team of Ker & Downey managed to not only fulfil our very high expectations but even exceeded them. We had a fantastic experience, wonderful in every way: all the camps, their staff, the food, the car and its equipment, the parks, the nature, the animals, even the weather with only some short refreshing rains, really everything was perfect.

Ker & Downey organised everything with no problem, booking some wonderful accommodations and allowing us to fully enjoy our trip. Our guide David understood immediately our desire to be away from the crowds and with his kindness and calm, his great respect for nature and its wildlife, he made our journey an unique and amazing experience. He made it possible that most of the time we really were on our own, having the feeling that we were in Paradise on Earth with only animals around us. His enormous knowledge about all kind of animals and their habitat has enriched the experience even more. We thank all those involved for setting up such an awesome trip and recommend Ker & Downey without any doubt!

The perfect way to experience African wildlife.

This is a luxury small group safari. 12 people, two land rovers. We spent the arrival night in a hotel in Arusha, two of the nights during the safari in hotels, and the rest of the nights in the luxury camp. The hotels were all good. The food was good, not great. The luxury camp is a two room canvas tent containing a queen size bed or two doubles. then there is a dressing area leading to the "bathroom" which is a toilet seat on a box over a hole in the ground. There is a shower stall in which they fill a canvas bag with hot water from the fire. They will not begrudge you a refill if you want to take your time. The day starts early in the dining tent with breakfast. then it is off to the land rovers to begin the safari. The guides from all the different safari's communicate to share where the most sought after animals are to be found. You will absolutely be up close and personal with lions, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, wildebeest, ostrich, zebra, hyrax, and the bird life. You will also see Water buffallo and hippos, but is best not to get close to them. and you will see plenty of Cheetah and some Rhinos, but usually from afar.

Lunch is usually conducted picnic style in the park. Our A&K picnics were the envy of every other group. Then it is touring until sunset.

When you get back to camp there is a camp fire going and the head guide will present a lecture, while everyone enjoys some much needed libations, of which there is great variety and unlimited quantity. Then dinner in the dining tent, and after dinner back to the campfire for more libations, and usually to review everyone's pictures from that day.

The guides are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. You will actually miss them on your last day. I had a great time and heartily recommend this safari and A&K.

The best part is being inside the game park all day and night. You really dont want to be going back to a hotel, but to stay out in nature.

Some tips: There is a generator in the camp so you may recharge your electrical items every day. They can also launder your clothes. Things to bring: plenty of strong repellent to deter the horse flies, do not skimp on memory cards for your camera, be sure to have a telescopic lens for your camera, a good pair of binoculars with good magnification, a flashlight, a device to view your photos on, a device to copy your photos onto. Dont forget a sweater, its cold at Ngorongoro Crater. For your digestive happiness, I had good results taking probiotic and charcoal capsules every day. You can see my pictures at https://flic.kr/s/aHsiUJWDur

Our Lifetime Experience!

After we made the initial enquiry Peniel got in touch with us and fulfilled all our special wishes. All questions were fully and quickly answered via e-mail, and even when we arrived several hours early in Arusha, he managed to pick us up at the airport together with our driver-guide. We just sent a short message from Daressalam and he organized everything else.

We spent 7 days of wonderful safari on our own with Ray, our perfect driver and tour guide . The roads are sometimes very rough but with Ray we felt save all the time. The national parks we visited (Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire) are really fantastic and Ray presented to us so many more animals than the big five
All the accommodation at the lodges was wonderful, good food and we particularly enjoyed the Sopa Lodges.

We have no hesitation in recommending this safari operator to other travelers.

Was EXCELLENT, knowledgeable and very informative

Lavina, Jambo, Jambo Just wanted to thank you for all your information and help regarding the above mentioned safari. It was AMAZING and we had a great time. The accommodations were great, people were wonderful, food was good. Guide was EXCELLENT, knowledgeable and very informative. He always expounded on any topic or animal. Was a great teacher. Everything went well and we had no problems with anyone or anything. Thanks again.

Kenya & Tanzania Adventure

A great introduction to the wildlife of East Africa, there is nothing quite like the excitement of animal/bird spotting that is an integral part of this tour. Camping allowed one to feel close to nature and was even better as few had other campers close by. Kip and his team were superb hosts keeping us informed of local life, both human and animal, while ensuring we were well fed. On the cultural side we visited a Masai village in the Serengeti and had guided tour of a typical local market in Musoma.
We were very lucky to witness the wildebeest and zebra migration crossing of the Mara River. The sheer number of wildebeest in the area was almost biblical.

There was a real rapport between Kip and his team and they could not have done more to ensure everyone had a good time. They set up camp as soon as we arrived and the meals were varied, wholesome and most importantly tasty (thanks Albert)! Everything seemed to work like clockwork, a sign of the hard work that goes on in the background.

Be prepared for some early starts and the odd long drive, but it's all worth it. On occasion the poor road surface could result in an 'African massage'! In terms of camping the mattress provided was very comfy (~2in thick foam). The occasional campsite does not have hot water, however, a cold shower after a hot dusty day was refreshing! Ngorongoro was cold (we travelled in July) so warm clothing is a must.

When buying craftworks be prepared to haggle, it is expected and part of the fun.

Serengeti Tours and Travel Guide

Serengeti Attractions & Landmarks Guide

At the heart of the Serengeti is Serengeti National Park, about 5,700 square miles of pristine wilderness in Tanzania. The park is surrounded by game reserves and conservation areas, including Ngorongoro to the east and Kenya’s Maasai Mara to the north.

Taken as a whole, the Serengeti is a vast ecosystem with a variety of terrain, from the short grass plains of the south to the moist woodlands of the north. Its western corridor comprises a savannah that stretches nearly to Lake Victoria. At the center of Serengeti National Park itself is the Seronera River Valley, superb for game-viewing all year and hence very popular with travelers.

Once a Hunting Ground

Before Serengeti National Park was established in 1951, it was a hunting ground for noted adventurers of the day, including Teddy Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway, among many. Lions were a favorite target. As late as the 1980s, poachers were decimating the elephant populations of the Serengeti.

As Tanzania’s oldest and most popular national park, and also a World Heritage Site, the Serengeti today has become a much safer and secure Eden for wildlife, although potential threats loom on the horizon. A proposal for a major highway across the northern portion of the park has raised a cry from international conservation groups. At the moment these plans are on hold, but there’s also talk of building an international airport just to the west of the park boundary.

The Great Migration

What makes the Serengeti so important -- the jewel in the crown of Tanzania’s national park system -- is the Great Migration, the annual movement of ungulates and the animals that prey on them. This whirl of activity, based on an ancient calendar of sex, birth, life and death, takes in much of the Serengeti, with over a million wildebeest and some 200,000 zebras making their annual clockwise rotation through the region, their hooves thundering on the plains, raising storms of red dust. Nothing can stop them, not the hungry hyenas and big cats lying in wait, nor the crocodile-infested waters of rivers positioned to block their paths. Nature calls, and the animals answer, often much to their peril.

It is the migration and the ensuing spectacle of predator versus prey that have made the Serengeti famous for mobile tented camps that can move with these herds. Ranging from no frills to absolutely luxurious, these camps offer the best chance to see the wildebeest crossing the Grumeti and Mara Rivers, but permanent tented camps, exclusive lodges and larger, comfortable hotels are also in the offing for safari-goers. All offer commodious accommodations (usually with en suite bathrooms), appetizing cuisine and spectacular game drives at dawn and dusk.

With so many diverse lodges and terrains, and so many jaw-dropping animal encounters, you’ll wish you had more time in the Serengeti -- however many days you allow for your safari. Stride makes it easy to select the Serengeti adventure with the degree of expertise, comfort and daring you want, as you explore the most famous wildlife setting in Africa.

Once you’re on your way

Take a camera, of course, but also pack good binoculars for rewarding views of the wildlife.

Don’t forget your feathered friends. There are over 500 species of birds in the Serengeti, from the ostrich, secretary bird and marabou stork to the martial eagle and crowned crane.

For an overview of Serengeti wildlife and a close-up look at the little hyrax, don’t miss the Serengeti Visitors Center. Student guides are there to help explain what you see.

Be prepared to see and hear the King of Beasts. Recent estimates place the Serengeti, including the Masai Mara to the north, among the largest and last of the great lion strongholds, with some 3,700 lions in residence.